Polruan, Cornwall : Coastal Views, Chapel Ruins And A Castle

Polruan and a Boat Yard

Today, photos of a visit to Polruan - and where I snapped the photo for this blog's heading.

We left our car in Fowey and then crossed the River Fowey to Polruan. The photo below is the first of Polruan. It's a small village with one road in and one road out.

Polruan

The Polruan road is quite steep but this allows lovely views across the Fowey river. That is, if you are okay walking backwards up a steep incline! The good thing is there aren't many cars about.

Looking from Polruan across the river to Fowey

At the top of hill are wonderful views of the River Fowey - and a convenient seat!

The River Fowey

At the top we find St. Saviours chapel - well the remains.

The chapel was partly destroyed following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries. It is said that local gentry removed the chapel bells for safe keeping - but the location is unknown. The chapel fell into disrepair from 1572.

Ruins of St.Saviour's Chapel

Alongside the chapel is a National Coastwatch Station, where visitors are welcome.

Coastwatch Station and remains of St.Saviour's Chapel

A view from the top of St. Saviours Hill.

View across to the Gribbin Head

And, at last, the photo I took for this blog's heading :

Photo I used for this Blog's heading

After having had our fill of the views from St.Saviour's Hill we made our way back down to sea level and had a quick look at the remains of Polruan Castle.

Polruan Castle

The castle is a Blockhouse and was erected in the 15th century for the defence of the harbour. It was linked by a large chain with a similar Blockhouse on the Fowey side of the river. The chain could be raised to stop unwanted ships entering the harbour - and was last used way back in 1666.

Inside Polruan Castle

So, it was then back to Fowey by the same small ferry boat. The photo below shows the view of arriving back in Fowey.

Approaching Fowey

Looe, Cornwall On A Cloudy Day

Yesterday's Post featured Polperro. Just along the coast is Looe. The photo was taken on a cloudy day, just before the rain arrived. But people still looked for treasures along the beach.

Walking The South West Coast Path Into Polperro, Cornwall

A few photos walking the South West Coast Path and approaching the village of Polperro.

Lots of ups and downs as we walk the coastal path. In the photo below you can just see the top of the small Polperro lighthouse at Spy House Point. Built in 1911, it is only ten feet tall but the light can be seen for eight miles. There is a track down to the lighthouse.

The path gradually starts to go downhill.

Finally we reach the outskirts of Polperro - still downhill!

At last, Polperro harbour and the tide is out. The old fishing village is like stepping back in time, with cottages clinging to the hillside - a great place to visit.

Par Sands : Photos of Beach and Surroundings

Grasses on the sand dunes at Par

We were passing Par Beach - or Par Sands as it is now known - and decided to stop so I could snap a few photos. It's not my favourite beach by any means, but many years ago we owned a couple of caravans here which we let out to holiday makers. So, in a way, the visit was to see how the area has improved.

Golden grasses are still on the sand dunes. The beach is very flat and the tide goes out quite a long way, leaving seaweed and the like behind. To the nearside of the beach the scenery is very pleasant - and it's possible to walk along the cliffs for many miles.

Par Beach, with the tide out

A few large rocks are on the far side of the beach but ...

Rocks on the beach

... unfortunately, also on the far side of the beach is a clay factory, though it is reasonably hidden.

Clay works at the far end of the beach 

The beach is a favourite with dog walkers at this time of year.

Dog walkers on the beach

There are many holiday caravans and a few chalets at the back of  the beach. All very neat and tidy - and far superior to the ones we used to let out. Times have changed, holidaymakers expect much more nowadays.

Caravans at Par Sands

Par Beach has it's own lake with geese, ducks, swans and other birds

Seagull on watch at the lake

Children enjoy feeding the ducks here, but the swans and geese can be a little overwhelming for small tots.

Geese, ducks and other birds at the lake

Chalets at Par are on the far side of the lake and some overlook the water, again all very neat and tidy.

Chalets at Par Sands

The Mysterious Creatures Guarding Helman Tor, Cornwall

The granite dinosaur casts his eye over Bodmin Moor. He has a good vantage point as he silently observes from the top of Helman Tor. The views stretch for miles. On a clear day it is said that Cornwall's south and north coastlines can be seen.

As well as the dinosaur there is a giant turtle or maybe a tortoise.

Okay, okay, a stretch of imagination perhaps, but there are many strange shapes created by the natural granite boulders on Helman Tor. It's fun to see where your imagination takes you.

The shapes and scenery have been viewed by man since Neolithic times - some 4000 years ago. A settlement was created here and homes erected from stones and rocks. Some of the later boundary walls can still be seen - they are there to be touched.

The prominence of the Tor in the landscape may have given the settlement a strategic position for ceremonial and economic functions - a place to meet, worship and trade.

Over the years the granite boulders and rocks have created such strange shapes and patterns on the landscape.

The weather can change quickly on the moors, as perhaps the photos illustrate - from bright blue to drab skies as the wind directions change.

The photo below shows the Helman Tor Logan Stone or Men Omborth in the Cornish language,

Logan stones are balance stones - they can sometimes be moved by hand despite their great weight. It is believed that Druids used these for their rites and rituals. Uneducated people would believe that the priests had magical powers as they moved such huge granite boulders without any effort.

Helman Tor is away from the main Cornish tourist trail and is reached by driving or walking along very narrow roads - which are often single track. So, if driving you have to keep fingers crossed that nothing is coming in the opposite direction - as one of you will have to be good at reversing!

When visiting the Tor I have rarely seen any other people. Though on one occasion I did see many wild ponies at the top - which was quite magical.

The Cave On Charlestown Beach, Cornwall

Cave on Charlestown Beach

Yesterday's Post was about a walk along Charlestown beach in Cornwall, What I didn't mention was that there is a small cave in the cliffs - as per the photo above.

Inside Cave

On Sunday the floor of the cave - above photo - was running with water but still possible to go inside. inside.

Looking Upwards

This is the strange bit. If you look upwards there is a hole right through to the top of the cliffs. Now what is that for? There is an explanation - but it could well be a load of baloney! But here it is.

We go back to the days of smuggling. The smugglers would beach their boat and rush their contraband to the cave. There would be a rope dangling through the hole and this would be used by the smugglers associates to heave the goods to the top. They could then transfer the smuggled goods to a safe house - and the boat would  sail away before the customs men could take any action.

A bit fanciful perhaps!

The rocks and stones below are just because I quite like rocks and stones.

Rocks & Stones, Charlestown Beach

Walking The Beach At Charlestown, Cornwall

Charlestown

It was such a lovely morning on Sunday: cold, but mostly blue sky. We had a stroll around Charlestown harbour and then onto the stony beach via the tunnel.

Tunnel and steps to Charlestown Beach

The tide was out and the cliffs looked at their best.

The cliffs at the end of Charlestown beach

We walked the full length of the beach - no great achievement as it's only a short distance - and reached the final rocks and stones, where we sat to enjoy the sunshine for a few moments.

Rocks and stones at the end of Charlestown beach

We then did an about turn and meandered back to the harbour, while looking for interesting pebbles and stones. There were lots of rock pools as the tide was still fully out.

Returning to Charlestown Harbour